May works to keep the airwaves of LCC safe

Published: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 07:23 PM.

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In regards to the security cameras, May said his role is to make sure the technology is working, but it’s the public safety officers’ job to analyze the video.

He said the mass notification system is in place so if some kind of emergency — like a tornado — comes up, he can press a button that sends out an auditory response to all 280 phones on campus in addition to all desktop computers.

For students, May said, there are speakers in the ceilings of the buildings around campus that would sound off the message. At the same time, the alert is also sent out through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

“We are trying to cover all areas for any kind of security alert so that you can hear and see it.” he said. “The technology is there to provide a safe environment for students, faculty and staff.”

Another project May is working on is creating a secure network so employees on LCC campuses in Jones and Greene counties can access files from the main campus.

“They will have access to onsite records and shared files,” May said. “It will work just like being on the main campus.”

Lee Wetherington, chief information officer at LCC, said May has been an asset to the college since his arrival.

Brian May, network administrator at Lenoir Community College, may not wear a uniform or badge, but he is just as responsible for keeping LCC safe as any officer.

May grew up in Farmville and graduated from Farmville Central High School in 2002. In 2006, he began attending Pitt Community College and worked as a part-time network technician until he graduated in 2009.

May said he then worked at PCC full-time until he began working at LCC in November 2012.

He is currently perusing a network engineering degree at ECU and with only three classes left, and he said he hopes to finish at some point during next summer.

May said he currently lives in Greenville, but is in the process of buying a house in Kinston. However, due to the government shutdown, he will have to wait a while longer.

“I hope to be in a house by the end of the year,” he said.

Since joining LCC, May has been working on a variety of projects, including network security — making sure the security cameras on campus are functioning properly — and a mass notification system.

In regards to the security cameras, May said his role is to make sure the technology is working, but it’s the public safety officers’ job to analyze the video.

He said the mass notification system is in place so if some kind of emergency — like a tornado — comes up, he can press a button that sends out an auditory response to all 280 phones on campus in addition to all desktop computers.

For students, May said, there are speakers in the ceilings of the buildings around campus that would sound off the message. At the same time, the alert is also sent out through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

“We are trying to cover all areas for any kind of security alert so that you can hear and see it.” he said. “The technology is there to provide a safe environment for students, faculty and staff.”

Another project May is working on is creating a secure network so employees on LCC campuses in Jones and Greene counties can access files from the main campus.

“They will have access to onsite records and shared files,” May said. “It will work just like being on the main campus.”

Lee Wetherington, chief information officer at LCC, said May has been an asset to the college since his arrival.

“He’s a very hardworking, dedicated network administrator who has a passion for his job,” Wetherington said. “We are very fortunate to have him at LCC.”

May said he has enjoyed his time at LCC so far and feels fortunate to have a job in his chosen career field.

“I think I’m one of the few lucky people that actually enjoys coming to work every day,” he said. “A lot of people can’t say that.”

Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @nclark 763.